Healio (8/22, Demko) reports, “Patients receiving buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder were more likely to use medications for unrelated, chronic conditions like depression,” research indicated. In the large “retrospective cohort study,” investigators “quantified the effect of buprenorphine treatment on adherence to five therapeutic classes – antilipids, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, antidiabetics and antidepressants – among commercially ensured patients with opioid use disorder using Truven Health’s MarketScan data.” The study revealed that “buprenorphine use was associated with a higher likelihood of adherence to all chronic medication classes included in the analysis, especially antidepressants.” The findings were published in the September issue of the journal Medical Care.
Related Links:
— “Buprenorphine for opioid dependence may improve treatment adherence for depression, “Savannah Demko, Healio, August 22, 2019